do; nor could all
the benefits conferred upon the city by his authority, when in danger
from the lawless mob, save him from the rabid fury of the party that was
now in power. His good offices evidently excited little gratitude in
his countrymen. The neglect of their benefactors is an error into which
princes and republics frequently fall; and hence mankind, alarmed by
such examples, as soon as they begin to perceive the ingratitude of
their rulers, set themselves against them.

As these banishments and executions had always been offensive to
Benedetto Alberti, they continued to disgust him, and he censured them
both publicly and privately. The leaders of the government began to
fear him, for they considered him one of the most earnest friends of
the plebeians, and thought he had not consented to the death of Giorgio
Scali from disapprobation of his proceeding, but that he might be left
himself without a rival in the government. His discourse and his conduct
alike served to increase their suspicions, so that all the ruling party
had their eyes upon him, and eagerly sought an opportunity of crushing
him.

During this state of things, external affairs were not of serious
importance, for some which ensued were productive of apprehension rather
than of injury. At this time Louis of Anjou came into Italy, to recover
the kingdom of Naples for Queen Giovanna, and drive out Charles of
Durazzo. His coming terrified the Florentines; for Charles, according
to the custom of old friends, demanded their assistance, and Louis,
like those who seek new alliances, required their neutrality. The
Florentines, that they might seem to comply with the request of Louis,
and at the same time assist Charles, discharged from their service
Sir John Hawkwood, and transferred him to that of Pope Urban, who was
friendly to Charles; but this deceit was at once detected, and Louis
considered himself greatly injured by the Florentines. While the war
was carried on between Louis and Charles in Puglia, new forces were sent
from France in aid of Louis, and on arriving in Tuscany, were by the
emigrants of Arezzo conducted to that city, and took it from those who
held possession for Charles. And when they were about to change the
government of Florence, as they had already done that of Arezzo, Louis
died, and the order of things in Puglia and in Tuscany was changed
accordingly; for Charles secured the kingdom, which had been all but
lost, and the Florentine